June 25, 2010

Che & Tigi Ness. Chapter8 of our Doco. [Aukalangi]

In the midst of the 12-16'hr post schedule days wrapping up the Doco, I have slipped in posting the final sample stills from our last shoot day. The last chapter of our Doco seemed so suited by going to the legendary Tigilau Ness' home in Western Springs, where we talked with him & the younger legend, his son Che. They spoke openly & by fortunate late timing, two of Che's sons came over just after school to join in on the couch of wisdom. For their chosen song, Tigi & Che were the first in our 'Sounds of Hope' doco to cover someone else's material. They picked Bob. Of course. Marley that is. To hear which song, you will have to tune in when it airs this weekend. & after months of work on this crucial topic, I can't wait to hear them sing it again. Kia ora.

 



'Sounds of Hope' in TimeOut [theNzHerald]

Scoop news on all the 'Tamariki Ora' spotlight.


TAMARIKI ORA: A NEW BEGINNING (PART 1) – Sunday June 27 at 8.00 PM: Carol Hirschfeld introduces the honest, raw stories of men and women who made the courageous decisions to confront the violence in their midst. Find out how Kahurangi changed her life after her partner killed her three-year-old daughter; and meet Pat, who took action after she saw her son following her down a violent path. Learn why the first three years of a baby’s life determines its future; and get an insider’s look at Starship’s child crisis team in action. The directors are award-winners Kathleen Mantel, Michael Bennett and Karen MacKenzie.
TAMARIKI ORA: THE SOUNDS OF HOPE – Sunday June 27 at 9.10 PM: Che Fu and Tigi Ness, Warren Maxwell, Maisey Rika, Hollie Smith, Young Sid and Mr Sicc, Dallas Tamaira, The Bellbirds and Wellington’s Kotuku Choir are among the artists who invite us into their homes for intimate acoustic performances dedicated to the children of New Zealand. This outstanding musical documentary is by award-winning music-video director Chris Graham.
TAMARIKI ORA: A NEW BEGINNING (PART 2) – Monday June 28 at 8.00 PM: Families share their remarkable stories of how they turned away from violence. Ex-gang member Hurae recounts the horrifying sight that sparked his transformation from vicious abuser to community worker; and young mum Arnita explains how an innovative programme which videotapes parent-child conversations teaches her to be a better parent. Eminent historian Dame Anne Salmond explores how children were brought up in pre-colonial times; and we hear the evidence that New Zealand’s widening social inequality is fuelling violence. Solo mum-turned-Cabinet Minister Paula Bennett, police detective Scott Beard, former Children’s Commissioner Ian Hassall, Manu Caddie from Tairawhiti Men Against Violence and Anglican minister Dr Hone Kaa are among the special guests who will join Carol Hirschfeld in the studio to discuss the issues.
TAMARIKI ORA: THE SOUNDS OF HOPE – Monday June 28 at 10.00 PM: A repeat of the musical tribute. Viewers are invited in to each performer’s home to enjoy acoustic, intimate songs dedicated to the children of the New Zealand – and to the hope that we will all play our part to halt child violence.
As well as the presenting role, Carol Hirschfeld is the Executive Producer of TAMARIKI ORA which is supported by NZ On Air’s Platinum Television Fund. “The courageous men and women who share their stories all decided to take a strong stand against child abuse and gathered supportive people around them to help them create a life without violence. These men and women show us why it is so important to take a stand against violence; we must all say enough is enough, and reach out to those who need support. This is a cause close to my heart, and I hope that this special Matariki broadcast will challenge and inspire us all to play our part in eradicating child violence.”
The Merata Mita documentary, SAVING GRACE, which was originally scheduled to form part of the TAMARIKI ORA broadcast, will now air at a later date. The documentary was unfinished when Merata Mita passed away suddenly late last month. Carol Hirschfeld says the filmmaker regarded SAVING GRACE as one of the most important documentaries of her career and it is fitting that the project is completed in a way that she would have wished. “Merata intended the documentary to count in ways that mattered deeply to her and to change perceptions of abuse and violence by using themes of responsibility, redemption, revitalisation, forgiveness and, most of all, love.”
TAMARIKI ORA: A NEW BEGINNING and TAMARIKI ORA: THE SOUNDS OF HOPEscreens on Maori Television on Sunday June 27 and Monday June 28 from 8.00 PM. Viewers can call the helpline on 0800 MA TATOU (0800 628 2868) for advice on how to tune in to Maori Television or go to the website, www.maoritelevision.com , for more information about this broadcast, including video on demand.

June 20, 2010

Dallas Tamaira. Chapter7 of our Doco. [ChChur]

Dallas & Michelle are old friends of my mrs & I, from 10'years ago in the heyday of the Welly Era of music. So it was great to go visit them with the crew, down in the 'ChurCh' as he calls it. Dall admitted that he rarely does interviews, so hats off to him for having the courage to talk about the seriousness of our subject. He sang an acoustic of the classic 'Hope for a Generation', which was a real treat to hear it so simplified, as most of us found ourselves humming the anticipated horn sections. Unplugged sounded amazing. Chur Dall, keep on writing your solo magic down there, many look forward to hearing it. Hope indeed. 



Exit through the Gift Shop. Banksy Film.

As an old school graffiti artist from the 80's, Im a longtime Banksy fan. Mainly for his conceptual work. His earliest work. His first film is coming the to NZFilmFestival. Im there.



June 17, 2010

HomeBrew Vinyl Artwork. [art by Guy Brock]

I'm amped that the Brew are pressing plastic for this classic EP, the best sound that we can finally hear their infamous Week unfold like audio gold. On the video update tip, since I'm often asked, as most may guess, the video for 'Underneath the Shade' will go down as soon as this Doco is delivered. I'm still on 13 hr days in the Edit suite. I cant want to get stuck into it & work creatively with the Bro's on it. Not just the Vidyo, but we got other Ideas to brew that are in the mind's keg.  & for those that haven't heard the Shady song yet, I've attached it below yo. eNjoy. & cop the incoming Vinyl.


a Decade. a 10'year Anniversary.

Ten years is a long time & a lot to celebrate. & while Im not the type to put personal information on my company blog, this is a beautiful milestone that I want to quietly carve in our personal landscape. Last night was my Queen & my 10 year anniversary. We met in Wellington, a decade ago & I fell into real love finally. Together for 10, married for 4, with 2 beautiful daughters, Mala & Oshani, as our princesses. We went to a flash restaurant & had an 8 course degustation menu, & finally drank this bottle below that we had saved from our wedding. Im not the 'drinkin bubb in the club' type, but I have to say, we were amazed at the taste of champagne this aged. Anyway, thank you my Queen for the best decade of my life, you already know how I feel about you.


June 15, 2010

The Bellbirds. Chapter6 of our Doco. [Auckland]

We had a good day's shoot just off Dominion Rd [which is my hood], but at 'the Don' McGlashan's whare. We interviewed his new band the Bellbirds, which is made up of Sandy Mill [singer], Victoria Kelly [well known film composer] & SJD, Sean John Donnelly, who Im a fan of his solo albums, which I find very cinematic & often screenwrite to. It was a good day's shoot, under the howling winter rain, but with a song that brought us both goosebumps & warmth.